Daily Update: July 10, 2020

Supports for Business

Emergency Funding for COVID-19 Safety Measures in Forest Operations

The government announced intent to provide up to $30 million to offset additional costs associated with COVID-19 safety measures for small and medium enterprises in the forest sector, including tree-planting operations. More specifically, today’s investment will help cover extra costs for things like sanitizing stations, additional accommodations and/or transportation, facilities and services to maintain social distancing, and personal protective equipment. In addition, funding announced today will help support the scheduled planting of 600 million trees.

Canada and Japan expand organic equivalency to include livestock products

Canadian organic livestock producers and processors will benefit from new trade opportunities and Canadian families shopping for organic food will have more choices following an expanded organic arrangement between the governments of Canada and Japan.

Effective July 16, 2020, the expanded Canada-Japan Organic Equivalency Arrangement will allow for Canadian certified organic livestock products and processed food products containing livestock ingredients to be exported to Japan. The arrangement recognizes Canadian and Japanese organic livestock standards as being equivalent.

Fostering development in northern Alberta

Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism Tanya Fir has appointed five members to the Northern Alberta Development Council to promote growth in northern Alberta. The council advances development in Alberta’s north and advises the government on economic and social development opportunities. All five appointees – including two new members and three reappointments – are longtime residents of northern Alberta, and have knowledge and expertise that will help fulfil the council’s mandate.

Community Supports and Resources

June Labour Force Survey Shows Decreasing Unemployment

Labour Force Survey (LFS) results for June reflect labour market conditions as of the week of June 14 to June 20. By then, public health restrictions had been substantially eased in most parts of the country. Tighter restrictions remained in place in much of southwestern Ontario, including Toronto. As businesses and workplaces continued to re-open across the country, physical distancing and other requirements remained in place. Likewise, large gatherings continued to be limited. Read more

Advocacy

Our Response To Today's Labour Force Survey Figures

Today’s Labour Force data show that another one million Canadians have made their way back to work as provinces and territories continue to reopen their economies, albeit at different stages. We see some green shoots in today’s numbers, at least in COVID-19 terms, with the unemployment rate improving to 12.3%. Any recovery will be underpinned by how effectively Canadians can get back to work. In order to put wind into the recovery’s sails, we need to develop an efficient path away from emergency subsidies and towards a growth-driven recovery. Read more

Mark Agnew Appears Before The House Standing Committee On International Trade

On July 9, 2020, Mark Agnew, our Senior Director of International Policy, appeared as a witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT). In his remarks, he discussed our recommendations for supply chain resiliency, the coming into force of CUSMA and addressing remaining trade concerns with the U.S., and the urgency of Canada completing a bilateral trade agreement with the U.K. Watch now